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Nutmeg was only one of a number of herbs and spices with which Americans flavored their foods. Like many spices, nutmeg had to be imported from the East Indies. Grated and added in small amounts, nutmeg flavors various foods - cakes, pies, and meats. The nutmeg itself is the round seed of an East Indian tree and must be grated or ground before using. A tin nutmeg grater like this one was purchased by Elijah Williams (1767-1832) for seven cents at Orlando Ware's Deerfield, Massachusetts, store in 1803.